Cochran is expected to battle for the team’s starting center position in 2014 after spending each of his first two seasons with Cal at the center and both guard spots, most recently as the team’s starter at right guard for the first three games of the 2013 campaign. His first season of action in 2013 was cut short by an injury suffered in the third game of the campaign against Ohio State. He has not played or participated in full contact practices since but is expected to be ready for the 2014 season. Cochran is one of eight returning offensive linemen in 2014 with starting collegiate experience.

Cal Career (2012 – Present)► Has played in three games with three starts all at right guard during his 2013 redshirt freshman season over his first two campaigns with the programSophomore (2014)► Listed as the No. 2 center on the team’s preseason depth chart► Missed the team’s full contact sessions during spring practicesFreshman (2013)► Started the first three games at right guard before suffering a season-ending injury against Ohio State in the third contest of the season► Spent most of spring practices as the team’s starting centerFreshman (2012)► Redshirted► Did not play► Llisted as Cal’s No. 9 recruit prior to the season according to Athlon, while Phil Steele had him as the No. 53 freshman offensive lineman nationallyBuhach Colony HS (Class of 2011)► Played in both the U.S. Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl and the California Prep All-Star Game following his 2011 senior campaign► Accumulated a series of other honors as a senior, including Prepstar and SuperPrep All-Region, first-team (MaxPreps) and second-team (ESPN High School California) All-State, first-team All-Sac-Joaquin Section, Area Player of the Year (Merced Sun-Star), first-team All-District (Modesto Bee) and first-team All-Central California Conference► Also played on the defensive line as a senior, contributing 30 tackles and 2.5 sacks► Named a MaxPreps Team Player of the Week for his performance in a victory over Enochs in the second game of his senior season► Picked up several honors as a junior in 2010 as well, including second-team All-State (ESPN Rise), first-team All-District, All-Central California Conference, All-Modesto Area, All-Merced Area and honorable mention All-Section► Anchored an offensive line as a sophomore in 2009 that opened holes for three 1,000-yard rushers, while also forcing a fumble on the defensive side of the ball► Played on teams in both his junior and senior seasons that were 12-1 overall, 5-0 in the CCC and reached the Sac-Joaquin Section semifinals before losing their lone game of the season► A three-year prep starter at center

Recruiting Rankings (Class of 2012)► A four-star recruit of MaxPreps, while ESPN, Rivals, Scout and 247Sports gave him three stars each► Ranked as the nation’s No. 3 center according to Scout, while ESPN and 247Sports had him at No. 5 and Rivals at No. 7► Listed as the No. 11 player among guards and centers by MaxPreps, who also had him as the nation’s No. 188 player overall► Ranked among the state of California’s top overall players according to 247Sports (No. 45), ESPN (No. 52) and Rivals (No. 53)

Other► Full name is Matthew Anthony Cochran► Born December 27, 1993► Parents are Roderick and Nicole Cochran► Cousin DeMeco Ryans was an All-American linebacker at Alabama and has played in the NFL since being drafted by Houston in the second round of the 2006 NFL Draft, earning AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year honors in 2006 and making two Pro Bowls in six seasons with the Texans before being traded to his current team Philadelphia prior to the 2012 campaign► Cousin Bryan Campbell played collegiate football at Colorado► Cousin Darren Lake will be a junior football player at Alabama in 2014► Intended major is interdisciplinary studies